Bullet Journaling: At last, the key to my sanity.

I hope this helps anyone who hasn't found their key to organization just yet. It only took me a couple decades. I remember making schedule books in 3rd grade! I would fold lined paper into fours (hamburger style then hot dog style as my teacher taught us :D). Cut along the tops to make a book, then staple to keep it all together. Looking back I realize I have always been obsessed with organizing my time but until now have never mastered it.

I was browsing through Pinterest, as I do multiple times thorough out the day and as soon as I saw this pin I knew this was it. This would be the final search for the perfect date book. And not just a date book. A place to keep everything I think of, projects, ideas, things-to-do, in one single spot.

My brain had made an attempt at this many times in the past. Before I knew that the Bullet Journal even existed. I have a collection of notebooks. Each with a few pages of ideas, lists, and projects in my swirling around in my head. However, I would only get through a few pages and give up because I just could not go past those few pages. I wasn't quite sure how to organize it. How do you just randomly write things in a notebook and know where everything is? Well, the inventor of the Bullet Journal, Ryder Carroll, gave me the answer. An index page!!! Duh!!!! How this did not occur to me before I just don't know. But, it occurred to him and past it on to everyone else.

If you follow the link you can learn how to initiate a bullet journal. However, this is only the way he structures it for himself. The beauty of this system is that the creator in no way intends to make you keep to his specific way of using the bullet journal. In fact, he mentions more than once that this is just his method and the idea behind the Bullet Journal is that it is customizable to anyone's lifestyle.

I watched the tutorial video first. Then, I used the tutorial provided on the website and started my first day. As I went on day by day I got a feel for how it worked and started creating my own system.

And here, I introduce you to  my bullet journal...

A notebook from my collection

I took the very basic ideas of the bullet journal; an index page, a calender, and a general task page. The following  are my alterations so far:

• After the index page I added a page for notes to remind why something was or wasn't working with the system. Although it was useful to begin, I don't think I'll be adding it to my next journal.

• The original Bullet Journal uses a graphed notebook. I picked out a notebook out of my own collection (that wasn't already used) with regular lined paper. I found the only use I would have for the graphed paper is not making the boxes, which, I can live with not being perfectly square. As long as I can check it off I'm good :).

• I made a calendar on word and glued it to the left side page instead of writing it in. It is much faster and just looks neater. Plus, the heaviness and worn look it gives to the page just makes me happy.

Didn't want to show Feb. as it has all my personal tasks

•  Although the idea of this system is not to worry about pages, I found I only needed 2 pages for the whole week. I used the right side for Monday- Wednesday and the left side Thursday-Sunday. I combined Saturday and Sunday for weekend tasks. 

The last section is Saturday & Sunday together. This is the first time I am writing out a whole week of tasks.

• Again, the idea behind this system is not to worry about pages since you have an index to guide you, and it will allow for you to miss a day or two (or five) here and there. However, I did not want to interrupt my daily calender. This just didn't jive with me. So, I decided to make these random pages by starting at the end of the notebook and working backwards. I had a list of knitting projects, a list of de-cluttering ideas, list of monthly tasks (mainly bills), list of work my car needed, etc.

•  I added an envelope to the back (hardcover) part of the notebook. I am using it to store all my bill payment receipts among other receipts I may need.

• My newest addition are index cards. I found myself wondering what I would do once I was finished with my notebook but not with my bigger projects (i.e. knitting projects, car work tasks, etc.). I didn't want to re-write everything into a new notebook and did not want to flip back and forth between the old and new Bullet journal. So the answer was index cards. Adding these bigger projects to the index cards allows me to move them between Bullet Journals if needed. Also, I'll be adding a pocket to the front hardcover to keep these index cards. I find keeping these lists at the back of my notebook causes me to keep them out of sight, there for, out of mind. Come to think of it I guess bullet point 6 won't be added to the next Bullet Journal either. 

I recently added this idea, some of these are actually done. I promise. I am currently using a paperclip to keep it together with my notebook, but will add a pocket soon.

• And lastly, I will be adding a glued ribbon so that I have a marker. I currently use a paperclip, but tend to lose it often.

Now, the bullet journal seems to be a little more intricate than my version. For example, I tried using the signifiers, but found that I had no need of them. If I have an idea or event I simply add them as a task with a check box. Again, customizable!! Add something that works for you, omit anything that doesn't. There are some bashers out there that say it is not a good system. Only two things could have happened: 1. They do not understand the concept of  how to customize it, or 2, it simply did not work for them. In any case, it worked for me beautifully. I actually missed a whole week recently and realized how much I needed my journal. I missed payments and things-to-do. I thought an appointment was one day but I was a whole week off. It has been the most effective way to keep me on track of all my have-to-do's and want-to-do's. I hope it helps you too. :)

I'm baaaaaack!!!

Wow! It has been such a long time since my last post. Incredible. It's funny, though, how this blog is always in the back of my mind and how much I want to write but... I simply... don't :/. Today I have decided to remedy that.
    
I was reading back on some of my posts. It's nice to just to read back on some of the things I liked at the time and think about what I would have done differently with a particular project. But most of all, I'm realizing how little I do what I love the most :(.

So here I am, trying to start doing what I enjoy the most. I haven't stopped knitting completely, but I am not doing it as often as I want to and should be. Additionally, I will be doing other things I have been meaning to do, and will include them here.

I am 30 this year. Thirty!! I love it!!! I feel like I have hit a milestone in life and love the fact that I am here. I feel like I am starting a fresh new start. There are some people that take this as a moment to look back on what they have accomplished. I cannot say I am a failure what so ever. However, I haven't really accomplished any goals. What can I say? Life happens. But it's not over. I have decided that this will be the decade to work on ME. All that I have wanted to do but just not gotten around to. From finishing knitting projects, starting my podcast back up, having a healthier life style (i.e. losing weight), and going back to school to get a degree.

There will still be plenty of knitting in my blog, but I will be blogging about all the other things I want to do. I have not decided yet if I will be writing separate blogs about each of my goals or all in one. Maybe, separate... or a little of all in one. Ah! Who knows. But it will happen. I have too many thoughts in my head not to write them down.

Socks turned Feather

I'm sure I have mentioned these socks before somewhere (I think). My brother Gabriel is a US Army soldier and is Iraq bound in November. He came home in June to visit and I said to him that I would make him a pair of socks, fingerless mitts, and a beanie. Well, its almost mid-October and I'm barley at the heel.

I am knitting them two at a time and I have a semi-good excuse. When he was here I had him choose the yarn. He chose Berroco Ultra Fine Alpaca which was a good choice. I made it up both insteps (also two at a time) on US0's and the yarn was a bit lighter than fingering. It was taking for-ever aaaand they looked way to small. I reassessed the socks and decided they weren't the right ones. I looked and looked for the right yarn. I also decided that the yarn should be a super wash merino. The only limit was that they had to be a charcoal gray for them to be appropriate to wear in the Army.

I finally found Cascade Heritage 150 (or something like that, cant find the label) in a charcoal grey from Paradise Fibers. I re-casted on with a US1 and am waaaay happier with this project. They are bigger and much quicker to knit up. I usually do the short row heel but decided I wanted a heel flap and gusset. I had never knit one before since all the socks I have made are toe-up with a short row heel. Rachel for the Knitcents podcast talked about how she had never knitted a toe-up sock and decided it was time and came up with a gusset and heel flap for her sock. So that's where I am.


In other news I have found a gorgeous simple lace weight cardi pattern. The Featherweight Cardigan. This happened around the same time that I was knitting my brothers socks the first time around. I normally don't buy patterns but this one had me sold instantly.

I love layering in my wardrobe especially sleeveless or spaghetti straps with light long sleeve tops. I went to two of my LYS's in search of a nice lace weight in black. Could you imagine no one had black lace or even sock weight? The only sock weight I found was Berroco sock yarn in acrylic and nylon.YUCK. So I decided to buy a new skein of the Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine (before deciding to frog the socks).

I was knitting furiously for days. I managed to get past the armholes and even begin a new skein (the new skein now was a frogged sock :))half way through the second skein and 3/4 done with the body I try on my cardi aaaaand...its super scratchy and itchy!!! I guess my skin does not like the alpaca. I was super sad when I laid my bare arms against the body and it just felt awful. I have not knit a stitch since and don't plan to. Now I have three skeins of this yarn that I don't plan to do anything with. I should probably just sell/trade them on Ravelry. I am now planning to save up to buy some lace weight cashmere in black and make it that way. Ugh, still bummed though :(

The Addiction

On my way to work, on my way home, my music and TV substitute to fall asleep, and definitely, definitely, while knitting. I listen to... Pocasts!!! Yup, and not just any podcasts, knitting podcasts. I am terribly addicted but it's just soooo good.

I dare you, Double dare you, to listen. They are now linked and listed on the right. You know you want too...

Simple Woman Daybook Sept. 9, 2010

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
Dark clouded night and the last glows of the days end.

I am thinking...
I need to knit knit knit! Perfect cool cloudy night for it.

I am thankful for...
Having my family so close even though we are so far apart.

From the kitchen...
Mommy making some yummy Frijoles Puercos (mexican style pork beans. Smells so good!! Thinking of grabbing a plateful with some Tortillas de Harina (flour tortillas).

I am wearing...
My work clothes still. If I change out Ill be to lazy to shower. Then Ill have to do it in the morning and then Ill run super late for work. Its a domino effect.

I am creating...
The Featherweight Cardigan. Super Excited to wear it!! Once its done.

I am going...
To shower and get cozy in my knitting corner.

I am reading...
I want to start The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or and Anne Boleyn book. I also want to re-read the Sookie Stackhouse books 1-5 or the Twilight Saga. MAN!!!

I am hoping...
That tomorrow is a light traffic day. (Good Luck!!)

I am hearing...
Will be hearing a good knitting podcast.

Around the house...
Yummy smells form the kitchen. Kitties lying in my knitting corner.

One of my favorite things...
Feeling the cool breeze and seeing the cloudy day of a first day of Autumn. Just wonderful.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Organize my soon to come Holiday self wish list.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...






Simple Woman's Day Book

Deliciouse Spinning

I have a new found love and it is spinning. I have only just bought my second spindle but I am so smitten. I started with some alpaca leftovers and a basic spindle sent to me in a knit swap by fellow Ravelrer (is that the correct word?). It was hard at first and I have up after a few tries. I picked it up again a few times over but I just couldn't get the hang of it.

In a later knit swap I was gifted a 2oz batt of some beautiful Twilighty Merino/Silk blend fiber in black and red. This was about 5 months after my first tries at spinning. I decided to give it a whorl (pun intended:)). Once I twirled my first few spins onto the leader and started on to the actual fiber it just felt like buttah through my hands!! Oh was so rich and just plain yummy. It was like sinking my teeth into a moist chocolaty chocolate brownie. Oh my!:). And after spinning my first mini skein of thick and thin yarn in a black with wisps of reds here and there I was just in love.

I could have bought boatloads of fiber online. Fortunately I am not an online shopper. I have probably purchased a handful of things here and there through the Internet. And fiber and yarn is something you just have to feel and smoosh to buy. I looked and looked online to find something to really catch my eye and convince me to order.

Luckily for me an LYS store that recently moved has decided to sell spinning supplies including fiber, spindles and even spinning wheels! I had never been since it was not really on my way to anywhere but I made a special trip. Very pretty fiber and has things I haven't found at my usual LYS. They offered special wool wash, dyes, special knitters lotion, and other pretties. But the first thing my eyes caught was the pretty bright pink fiber. I immediately chose the right 4oz bag and claimed it. I also picked up all I needed for a small knit swap: some Noro for a one skein hat pattern, a cute "rather be knitting" magnet, Utter knitters hand lotion, Hiya Hiya needles, and 4 travel packs of Eucklan wool wash. All done!!! (look for a whole blog on all swaps that have been had (:)

So I took my cloud of pinkness home and just started spinning away on my spindle. Not much could stop me (another reason why my knitting WIP's are a little unfinished) and before I knew it I was ready to ply my first batch of lace weight singles. I decided to Andean ply but honestly it was a big kinky mess once I got it off my finger (and regained all feeling to my middle finger). Once I started to ply the kinked singles kept pulling my hairs on my arms!! Kinda like when you get your eyebrows threaded. Ouch!!! Anyways, I figure I might was well keep going since all these singles are already the way they are. I finished plying and it is a nice more thin than thick fingering weight. My second attempt at Andean plying was even worse. Somehow it got tangled and now my half way through plied yarn is just sitting there waiting for me to have the energy to pick it back up. As of now I am content with my 2nd addition to my spinning collection. A Schact spindle top and bottom whorl and an actual notch!! (yup my first one didn't have one). I am spinning the rest of my fiber on it. I have to fix my mess of Andean plying that is just mocking me though... I'm planning to make a shawlette out of the finished yarn. Cant wait:)

So now I am into buying an actual spinning wheel. Jane at my new found LYS was sweet enough to let me use her Schact Ladybug. I had a blast and caught on pretty quick after a few tries. I feel its is a great wheel and I was right about me wanting a double treadle. It is to cute for words and reasonably priced for a spinning wheel. A Schact at that. However, as I am going to talk about in another blog, I plan to give up my daily lunch buying and actually pack a lunch to save up for the wheel. Kicking a bad habit and rewarding myself in the end. It can only be a win win situation right??

Summer Lovin'

OK so apparently I took a summer vacation. But I'm back!!! Much knitting and more knitting with some delicious fiber on the side. :drools:

I was definitely taking a forced break from knitting. I had several rounds of relatives visiting for about a month and a half. When some relatives left others came in. In between all this my Mom left on her vacation and left me alone to entertain!! While I had to work. I managed to take two weeks off but not much knitting accomplished. Well, as much I as I loved seeing my family which included my Grandmother and one of my favorite Uncles, I'm used to a quiet home which was not to well obtained when little ones are involved in the visits. Oh how I missed peace and quiet with a good project on the needles and a good podcast on the Itouch!!! OK so I'm done with the "woe is to me" and explaining why I had disappeared. That and I'm sure you guys weren't waiting on the edge of your seat LOL.

Ok So on to the blog

I have many new WIP's which does not help with the ones already on the needles. The only thing I managed to finish is a 2ply skein of beautiful bright pink Merino/Silk blend Louet fiber I spun on my drop spindle. Its sooo pretty but Ill talk about it on another blog soon to come. Yup that's all I've finished. However I have learned some things and casted on others and am wanting to start new and fun things. Like I have previously mentioned I have started and seems like I can now actually spin. But this autumn and winter to come I have decided I will do more baking and with that also do some cooking.

So basically this is just an intro to my return and my new found determination to keep this blog going. I want to consistently blog from here on out at least once a week and with this I want to decided if I want to start a podcast or not. I realize I want to say so much in one blog but I feel its sooo much reading you may get bored. But we'll see what happens from here to the end of the year and maybe into next spring. Its only and idea among many others I am having.

I will be posting a blog sometime this week about some actual stuff with actual pics :)

Pink Honey

I have now started a new Personal Pattern project. I am using Knitpicks Telemark sport weight in hot pink and black. I have made the bottom in black and have now started the color work. Making the sides in pink and black at every other stitch. Making the front and back with black border to pink diamonds. I had first opted to follow someone elses pattern in the color work portion but it was not what I wanted it to look like. I have now created my own pattern to the project and Im quite proud. I have had to learn how to "pick". I have always been a "thrower" and having to learn to pick at the same time as throwing while using two different yarns for my first color work is quite a challenge. However, it is a project I am really enjoying!! I hope to have this felted soon so I can have pics up along with a pattern. I am so excited!:)

My firsts

-Color work I think it's fairisle
-Picking (continental style)
-Picking and throwing at the same time
-Felted
-Zipper
-Lining my knitting (or anything)
-Adding pockets or sewing


I just finished my first pattern repeat and it looks awesome!!